The Yoga-fication of the West has brought our collective attention to several other Eastern practices that are believed to greatly enhance the quality of one’s daily life. One such practice & concept is that of Mindfulness, which has gained significant traction over the last 2 decades.  There are a plethora of books, courses, workshops and websites dedicated to encouraging mindfulness, but what is it?
 
Mindfulness is the experience of: (1) being present in the moment while (2) having an acute awareness of your environment, stimuli, and behavior coupled with   (3) an appreciation of what is happening in the moment.
 
If you are freaking out…I understand this can be a lot to process. We live in fast paced society where this kind of presence of mind would mean we would have to focus on one thing at a time. If you are someone who prides yourself on multitasking Mindfulness can be a very challenging idea.
 
Thankfully mindfulness can be experienced in a moment as normal as eating a Tangerine. The world renowned teacher Thich Nhat Hanh summarizes an experience he had with a friend who sat thinking about an impending project while  quickly eating a Tangerine. Thich recalls, “He was hardly aware he was eating a tangerine…It was as if he hadn’t been eating the tangerine at all.”[1] Thich goes on to suggest that if we are moving so quickly that we are failing to be present enough to be aware of what we are currently doing, then are we doing anything at all? 
 
Think about it, how many times have you thought to yourself: “where did the month go? week, year, day?”  During those periods of time where you living mindfully? Savoring each moment like the section of the tangerine OR were you going through the motions mindlessly, simply existing rather than living?
 
Mindfulness is the awareness that ultimately allows us to truly live each day to the fullest. When we are present for each moment, with out judgment, appreciating the reality of it then we can rejoice in the beauty of our human experience.  It may be difficult to conceptualize Mindfulness, but once you begin to practice Mindfulness it becomes easy to both incorporate that presence of mind into everything you do & identify when you are living mindlessly.
 
We all have to start somewhere. If you are completely new to the idea of mindfulness or if you have had some issues really digging in, here are some easily accessible ways to kick start your practice:

1. Breathing --  there is an exercise called sama vata pranayama. It means equal length breath. You sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor, breathing through the nostrils, concentrating your attention on your breath.  You silently count as you inhale, and repeat as you exhale. The goal is to work towards the same pressure, speed and length of breath on the inhale & exhale.  Connecting with your breath in this manner will make it easier for you to connect with your breathing when you are out in the world experiencing stress or overstimulation. Refocusing on your breath is always an excellent way to bring yourself back to the present moment with the thought – “I am here now, breathing in & out.”
   
   
2. Enjoy Every Bite ­ - we all have to eat.  At your next meal: silence your phone, turn it screen down on the table, take a moment to acknowledge the nourishment you are about to consume, then slowly eat the meal. Take medium sized bites and be present to savor each one. Put your utensil down in between bites. Maybe close your eyes and notice if you can taste your food more vividly.  Eating mindfully allows us to reconnect with what nourishes us literally and figuratively. However, we are often rushing through our meals while we text, email, or plan for the next thing we have to do. The state of mind we are in & manner in which we eat can affect our digestion.  Therefore taking time to not only focus on what we are eating but to enjoy and rejoice in it is an act of mindfulness.  

 
 
The Miracle of Mindfulness  by Thich Nhat Hanh, it is full of wonderful examples of how to become more present. All of his books are great! Other fantastic resources for cultivating mindfulness are the works of Pema Chodron, and His Holiness The Dali Lama.  While Meditation is not mindfulness, a healthy meditation practice grounded in the things that challenge you can also help you become more mindful.  Go forward, unafraid to be present, embrace the moment and enjoy the reality of what is right now.
 
Until next time….


[1] Hanh, Thich Nhat - The miracle of Mindfulness, p. 5

nYoga is not just about putting your legs behind your head.  The practice of yoga is steeped in ancient philosophies that are supposed to help to inform the intent & focus of the student. In order to completely understand this, one must first accept that the tree of Yoga has 8 limbs, of which Asana is one. The other 7 limbs are equally if not more important than Asana, even though the physical practice seems to get the most attention in the west.
 
The Trunk of the tree is the Niyamas. The Niyamas provide the yogi a rubric for dealing with herself. The roots of the tree of Yoga are the Yamas. The Yamas give guidance about how to interact with the world around us.  This piece aims to focus on the NiYamas.
 
In this hectic, busy and uncertain world its is becoming clear that the only thing in our control is ourselves. The Niyama’s are an ancient yet elegant check list that keep us grounded and focused on being our best selves at all times. These “observances” highlight the 5 areas that ancient yoga philosophers believed were of utmost importance.
 
The Niyamas are:  Saucha (purification), Samtosa (Contentment), Tapas (asceticism),  Svadhyaya (Self-Study), Ishvara Prandihana (devotion)
 
Saucha, often translated as clealiness, isn’t just about keeping your home clean but also the purity of your being. Keeping selves clean refers to the actions required to keep our bodies healthy, so that we have both fully functioning organs and a clear mind. [1]  Keeping the body clean has become increasingly easier as general awareness has increase about our food sources and food processing practices. However, keeping the Mind clear has become increasingly more difficult as technology has evolved resulting in a relentless barrage of cell phone notifications and updates.   Humans are so over stimulated by their technological devices that finding a quiet moment to still the mind and get clear their mind is incredibly challenging for most.
 
Samtosa, simply stated means contentment. The idea that one should be satisfied and happy with what they have, in other words loving what is rather than despairing about what could be.  “From contentment one gains Supreme Happiness.”[2]  (Sutra of Patanjali - II.42)  Contentment is a real issue in the developed world, especially when folks are focused on trying to catch up with Instagram Influencers flashing Stacks of cash on the beach and working non-stop towards a goal of either corporate dominance or entrepreneurial stardom.  Samtosa is a straight forward yet complex idea that is intended to cover all aspects of your life.  In other words, “it is about ourselves – what we have and how we feel about what God has given us.”[3] Don’t get caught up on the G-word, the point is that if we are able to focus on being appreciative and grateful for what the Universe has provided and what we have done to get to the present moment, then we will be more able to experience joy for what is in each moment.
 
Tapa also known as self-discipline, refers predominately to the business staying physically fit. Cultivating clean eating habits, healthy breathing patterns, aligned body posture, & moderating our nutrient intake are all apart of Tapas. Fortunately in our body conscious world this is not such a big ask. However, many still struggle with self-discipline when it comes to follow through. It is one thing to think of a new course of action, it is quite another thing for to take a take a new course of action and see that plan through to completion.  However having a healthy self-awareness is essential to keeping one honest.  When a person begins to lack self-discipline, she is the only on that knows it and she is only one that can take the action to regain that discipline. Tapas is ultimately about follow through, commitment & knowing yourself well enough to keep yourself accountable.
 
Svadhyaya means Self Study.  The Sutra’s say “From self-study comes communion with ones personal diety.” (Sutra II.44)[4]   Studying yourself is a necessary pursuit.  Knowledge of self comes from the pursuit of mental, physical & spiritual growth. The practice of Yoga promotes that in a multitude of ways, the philosophy of Svadhyaya makes it clear that the purpose of Yoga is to help you turn the mirror on YOURSELF so that you can become deeply connected with your truth – whatever that may be.  The bonus is effect of deep, sincere Self-Study is a more salient connection with the Divine. For some the Divine is represented by a particular Religious figure, for others it is seen in the elegance of science, yet others believe in some greater disembodied energetic force (i.e. The Universe). Regardless of what you believe, digging in deep and daring to study yourself will inevitably open a path for you to feel oneness with forces greater than yourself.
 
Isvaraprandihana is a tricky one. While many translate this as “devotion to God” other texts provide us with an explanation that more truly captures the secular yet spiritual nature of Yoga.  BKS Iyengar helps us to understand that Devotion and Surrender are at the core of this concept.[5] The idea is to be very intentional with your acts in such that you are both comfortably detached from the need to have your behavior reciprocated and  are also able to separate yourself from your acts. Growing in your selflessness through your acts allows you to experience your humanity and spiritual oneness. The Devotion and detachment from the reciprocation lead to a complete selfless surrender that ultimately reinforces your Divine Connection.
 
With a combination of complexity and practical simplicity, the Niyamas offer us an incredible guideline for taking care of not only our physical body, but also our mind and spirit. The Niyamas help us to understand that our actions must be guided by:  a deep understanding and commitment to ourselves, a sense of joy in our current circumstance, and an acceptance of our Divine connection.  Its almost a cheat sheet to healthy, happy, drama free living!!!
 
Until Next time……
 


[1] Heart of Yoga, TKV Descihachar (p. 101)

[2] Yoga Sutras Of Pantajali: As Interpreted by Mukunda Stiles (p.27)

[3] Heart of Yoga, TKV Descihachar (p. 101)

[4] Yoga Sutras Of Pantajali: As Interpreted by Mukunda Stiles (p.28)

[5] The Tree of Yoga, BKS Iyengar (p.51)